health
Denmark is one of the world's happiest nations. Are its parenting habits worth importing?
March 19, 2026 / 10:39 AM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Finland is the world's happiest country according to the 2026 World Happiness Report.
- Danish parenting practices, summarized by the acronym PARENT, are suggested for adoption in the U.S.
- P stands for Play, which teaches empathy, negotiation, critical thinking, collaboration, and internal locus of control.
- A stands for Authenticity, meaning honest, age-appropriate communication with children about life.
- R is for Respect, E for Empathy, N for No ultimatums, and T for Togetherness.
- Denmark's high happiness scores are linked to societal trust, low inequality, and a strong welfare system.
- Danish parents can take up to a year off when having a baby.
- The U.S. ranked 17th in the happiness report, with research suggesting a drop in well-being among heavy social media users.